WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown hasannounced that Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Community Living (ACL) is now accepting nominations for the advisory council created as part of Brown’s Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act, which President Trump signed into law in June. Brown passed legislation to create the council in light of the addictions crises, which has forced many grandparents and other family members to step in and raise children whose parents are unable to care for them. He is urging Ohioans to apply. The Advisory Council will include at least one grandparent who is raising a grandchild, and at least one older relative caring for children.
Anyone may nominate themselves, as well as one or more qualified grandparents raising grandchildren or older relative caregivers of children for membership on the Council. The ACL is also seeking nominations for those who may be able to provide subject matter expertise or technical contributions to the Advisory Council, including academic professionals, providers of supportive services, mental or behavioral health experts, and legal and financial service providers.
Nominees will be appointed based on their demonstrated knowledge, qualifications, and professional or personal experience related to the purpose and scope of the Advisory Council. Ohioans can find additional information about the nomination process here.
“We have a long way to go to support these families, but creating this task force is one step in the right direction,” said Brown. “We need to learn more about the challenges facing grandparents and other relatives in Ohio who have stepped up as caregivers, so we can support them as they raise these children and I encourage Ohioans to apply so they can bring their ideas and experiences to the table.”
The council will identify, coordinate, and share information and resources to support grandparents and other caretakers. In addition to compiling tools and resources, the Advisory Council will develop a report that includes best practices, resources, and other useful information for grandparents and other older relatives raising children. The report will then be delivered to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and state agencies responsible for carrying out family caregiver programs.
